Traveling bag



March 12, 1929. M, BRADY 1,705,149

TRAVELING BAG Filed Dec. 192

INVENTOR 1,, -I" i I4 J ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 12, 1929.

" UNITED sTATEs 1,705,149 PATENT OFFICE.

JESSICA M. BRADY, OF MAMABONECK. NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO BRADKA HOLDING CORPORATION OF RYE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TRAVELING 'BAG.

Application filed December a, 1926. Serial No. 153,332.

An object of the invention is to provide a folding traveling bag particularly adapted for carrying numerous pairs of shoes, the bag being designed to house each pair in a separate closed pocket and to unfold to the fullest extent and render all of the pockets readily accessible, each pocket being separately closed, whereby a pair of shoes may be removed from one pocket without exposing the remaining pairs, and the bag being adapted to be suspended in its open condition with all of the pockets fm-wardly exposed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined traveling and storage bag of improved form for containing numerous articles in such manner as to keep them properly separated. protect them thoroughly in both the open and closed states of the bag and render them visible and readily accessible when the bag is opened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding traveling bag adapted to open and unfold into a substantially flat sheet which may be suspended from one end, the inner face of said sheet carrying a number of article-holding pockets which are all exposed and readily accessible when the sheet is unfolded and suspended and which are brought into face to face contact when the sheet is folded at its middle, means being provided to quickly fold the sheet at the sides to form the sides of the. bag. tightly close its sides and top and quickly unfasten the sides and top when it. is desired to open the bag.

Another'object of the invention is to provide a folding traveling bag containing a number of article-holding pockets which are all exposed and readily accessible when the bag is opened,- each pocket being provided with a transparent panel to reveal its contents.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding traveling bag adapted to be quickly opened and unfolded into a substantially flat sheet and adapted to be quickly folded and reshaped into a finished bag tightly closed around all of its sides.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the traveling bag unfolded and suspended;

Fig. 2 a perspective view showing the bag folded and locked;

Fig. 3 a detail perspective view of the removal-partition of the bag;

Fig. 4 a rear view of the bottom or hinge portion of the bag showing it unfolded; Fig. 5 a top plan view of the bag showing it closed but unlocked; and 7 Fig. 6 a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 with the bag closed and locked. V The outer portion of,the bag is formed from an elongated, substantially rectangular sheet of material 1. This material is preferably flexible leather but may be of any suitable material. At its ends the sheet 1 is folded forwardly as at 2 and 3 and fastened respectively to straight stiffening members 4 and 5 hieh are L-shaped in cross section. These rwardly extending portions of the sheet and theirstifi'ening members meet edgeto-cdge when the bag is closed, and form the top of the bag. A transversely extending medial portion 6 of the sheet 1 divides it into two foldahlc sections or leaves 7 and 8. The portion 6 forms the bottom or hinge part of the bag and the leaves 7 and 8 form the front and back of the bag when the bag is closed. Secured to the inner face of the leaf 7. below the stiffening member 4 are two horizontal rows of pockets 9. These pockets have their mouths directed upwardly when the sheet is suspended and each pocket is formed of suitable flexible material and has bellows sides 10, a bellows bottom 11 and a normally flat front 12. The front is fo med with a window opening across which is fastened a transparent panel 13. This panel is preferably made of transparent celluloid. which is flexible and durable but may be of any suitable material. The mouth of each pocket is closed by a flexible flap 14 secured to the leaf 7, extending across the mouth and adapted to be connected to the front 12 of the pocket by snap fastenings 15 or other suitable means. Secured to the inner face of the leaf 8 of the sheet 1, inwardly of the stiffening member 5, are two rows of pockets 16 arranged and eonstructed precisely similarly to the pockets 9 upon the leaf 7. When the bag is unfolded and suspended as shown in Fig. 1 the pockets 16 also have their mouths directed upwardly. The pockets substantially stiffen the main portions of the leaves 7 and 8.

The pockets upon both leaves are spaced inwardly from the opposite longil udinal sides of the leaves to provide flexible margin portions 17 upon the leaf 7 and similar flexible margin portions 18 upon thelcaf 8. The

edges of the margin portions are strai ht for the greater portion of their length. T he adjacent ends of the edges of the margin portions 17 and 18, however, curve inwardly as at 1!) and converge within the central portion (3 of the sheet to form opposed, substan tia'lly V-shaped notches 20 at opposite ends of said portion. At their opposite ends the edges of the margin portions 17 and 18 merge ill with the edges of the forwardly extending top portions 2 and I respectivelyand their edges are continuous with the edges of said top portions. llxtending in opposite directions from a central point upon the forward edge of the top portion 2 are two rows of small fastening elements 21 spaced apart and extending continuously along the edge of the top portion 2, down the edges of the margin portions 17, and into the notches 20 to the ends thereof. Rows of similar fastening elements 22 extend from a central point of the edge of the other top portion. along said edge, along the edges of the margin portions 18, and into the notches 20 to converge with the elements 21. The elements 21 and 22 are arranged in staggered relation and are formed to interlock and fasten together edge-to-edge the top portions 2 and 3 and the side margin portions 17 and 18 edge-to-edgc to form a tightly closed top and tightly closed sides for the bag. The rigid top portions and the foldable margin portions define the thickness of the bag when the bag is closed. The fastening elements are brought into interlocking engagement by means of two tapered hollow slides 23. The closure means represented by the fastening elements and slide is an article of commerce and forms no part of my inven' tion except in its application.

Attached to the top portions 2 and 3 are handle loops 24 and 25 respectively. Also attached to the top portion 2 and to the stiffening member 4 at a central point is-a lock 26. Hinged upon the top portion 3 is a hasp 27 provided with a notched locking stud 28 adapted to be engaged by the lock 26. A stiff rectangular partition member 29 is provided to separate the pockets upon the leaf 7 from those upon the leaf 8. The partition 29 helps to give definite shape to the bag. and is detachably held in place by means of a central loop 30 at its upper edge which engages a hook 31 depending from the lock 26 and by means of two straps 32 fastened to its lower edge. These straps are connected to the sheet 1 by snap fastenings 33.

In its unfolded state the traveling bag is adapted to be suspended by the handle loop 24, as shown in Fig. 1. The sheet 1 then hangs straight down and is substantially flat throughout most of its area. The pockets are all exposed and have their months all directed upwardly and readily accessible. These pockets are particularly adapted to contain ladies footwear, each pocket being proportioned to receive a pair of shoes or pumps. The bellows sides and bottoms of the pockets permit them to expand as required to receive said contents and the flexible flaps 14 close the pockets to hold in the contents and protect-them. The transparent panels 13 I'Olltltl' the pumps and shoes within the pockets clearly visible so that apair may 29 may be attached if it is considered neces-v sary. The purposeof the partition is to protect a pair of delicate pumps in one pocket from possible injury by compression in case an opposed pocket upon the other leaf should contain a heavier and less compressible shoe. In-closing the case the leaf 8 is first folded upwardly toward the leaf 7 into a position substantially parallel to it. The slides 23 are then drawn along the length of the rows of opposed fastening elements 21 and 22 to interlock them. In the unfolded, flattened condition of the sheet 1 the slides 23 rest within the V-shaped notches 20. It is these inset posit ions of the slides which permits the sheet to flatten at the side edges. Each slide is provided with a pulling tab 34 hinged to' it. Having folded up the leaf 8, the tabs 34 are pulled to move the slides quickly along the fastening elements thereby interlocking them in quick succession along the rows and contracting together the opposed edges of the bag along the sides of the V-shaped notches.

the side edges of the margins 17 and 18, and

the edges of the top sections 2 and 3 to form the completely closed bag shown in Eig.,2. The movements of the two slides terminate adjacent opposite sides of the lock26 at the center of the top of the bag where they rest in opposed relation. The pulling tab 34 of each slide is formed with an opening 35 adapted to receive the locking stud 28 of the hasp 27. The tabs are placed in overlapping relation with their openings 35 in register and in a position to receive the locking stud .28 as shown in Fig. 5. The hasp is then swung to pass the locking stud through the tabs and downward into locking engagement with the bolt of the lock 26, as indicated in Fig. 6. The slides are thus held against refractive movement. To open the ba g, a key is inserted in the lock 26 and actuated to free the hasp and'perinitit to be swung back. The slides are then pulled by the tabs outwardly in opposite directions and downwardly, stripping apart the fastening elements as they travel. @The bag may then be swung entirely open as shown in Fig. 1. It will be seen that the bag is design d to provide excellent storage for the shoes even when they are not being transported. They are kept mated and are thoroughly protected while still remaining visible to aid in a selection from the numerous pairs. In the unfoldllU titl

ed state of the bag the pockets 16 of the leaf 8 open upwardly whereas when the bag is folded said pockets have their mouths directed downwardly.

The pockets secured to each leaf substantially stiffen the leaf and give an outline to the folded bag. the pockets are disposed in rectangular arrangement, the side edges of the outermost pockets defining a straight line parallel with the edge of the adjacent margin portion. When the fiexibleinargin portions are folded inwardly to form the sides of the closed bag they fold substantially along the outer edges of the outermost pockets so that the closed bag is substantially rectangular and its thickness is defined by the margin portions locked together edge-toedge, and by the rigid top sections also locked together edge-to-edge.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my traveling bag otters very decided advantages especially in point of convenience in inspecting and handling its contents and in its thorough protection of them. \Vhile I have shown and descrihed'what I consider the preferred embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to this specific construction but reserve the right to make such changes as will be within the scope of the claims.

What 1 claim is;

1. A folding traveling bag comprising a sheet of material substantially fiat for the greater portion of its area when unfolded and shaped to form a bottom or hinge portion of the bag extending transversely of the sheet intermediate its ends; leaf portions adapted to fold upwardly toward each other from said bottom portion; top portions at the ends of the leaf portions formed to extend inwardly toward each other and to meet edge-to-edge when the leaves are folded upwardly; flexible foldable marginal portions extending along the opposite longitudinal edges of both leaves and adapted to fold inwardly edge-to-edge to form the sides of the bag when it is folded, the edges of the margin portions ateach side curving inwardly at their lower ends and merging with each other to form substantially V-shaped notches at the opposite ends of the said bottom portion when the sheet is unfolded; rows of fastening elements extending along the edges of said notches, the edges of the margin portions and the edges of said top portions to points intermediate the ends of said sections, the elements of opposed rows being designed to interlock when the leaf sections are folded and said edges are edge-to-edge, to close the top and sides of the bag; and slides located within the said V-shapel notches when the bag is unfolded, mounted to slide along said opposed rows of fastening elements and interlock them along said margin portions and top portions to close the bag, and adapted to slide As shown in the drawingsback along said rows to the notches and separate the interlocked clenu-ntsto open the bag whereby the thickness of the closed bag will be defined by the said marginal portions locked edge-to-edge and the top portions also locked edge-to-edge.

2. A folding traveling bag cmnprising a sheet of material shaped to form a bottom or hinge portion of the bag extending transversely of the sheet intermediate its ends; leaf portions adapted to fold upwardly toward each other from said bottom portion; top portions at the ends of the leaf portions formed to extend inwardly toward each other and to meet edge-to-edge when the leaves are folded upwardly; flexible foldable marginal portions extending along the opposite longitudinal edges of both leaves and adapted to fold inwardly cdge-to-edge to form the sides of the bag when it is folded, the edges of the margin portions at one side curving inwardly at their lower ends and merging with each other to form a substantially V-shaped notch at one end of the said bottom portion when the sheet is unfolded; rows of fastening elements extending along the edges of said notch. the edges of the margin portions and the edges of said top portions, the elements of opposed rows being designed to interlock.

when the leaf portions are folded and said edges are edge-to-edge, to close the top and sides of the bag; and a slide located within said V-shaped notch when the bag is unfolded. mounted to slide along opposed rows 'of said fastening elements and interlock them along said margin portions and top-portions to close the bag, and adapted to slide back along'said rows to the notch and separate the interlocked elements, whereby the thickness of the closed bag will be defined by the said marginal portions locked edge-to-edge and the top portions also locked edge-to-edgc.

3. A-folding traveling bag comprising a sheet of material shaped to form a bottom or hinge portion of the bag extending transversely of the sheet intermediate its ends; leaf portions adapted to fold upwardly toward each other from said bottom portion; top portions at the ends of the leaf portions formed to extend inwardly toward each other and to meet edge-to-edge when the leaves are folded upwardly; flexible foldable margin portions extending along .the opposite longitudinal edges of both leaves and adapted to fold 1nwardly edge-to-edge to form the sides of the bag when it is folded, the edges of the margin portions at each side merging with each other at the opposite ends of said bottom portlon wnen the sheet is unfolded; rows of fastening elements extending along the edges of the margin portions and the edges of said top portions to points intermediate the ends of said portions the elements of opposed rows being designed to interlock, when the leaf portions are folded and said edges are edgeterial shaped to form a bottom or hinge portion of the bag extending transversely of the sheet intermediate its ends; leaf portions adapted to fold upwardly toward each other from said bottom 'portion; top portions at the ends of the leaf port ions formed to extend nwardly toward each other and to meet edgeto-edge when the leaves are folded upwardly; flexible foldahle margin portions extending along the opposite longitudinal edges of both leaves and adapted to fold inwardly edge-to-edge to form the sides of the'bag when it is folded,- the edges of the margin portions at each side curving inwardly at their lower ends and merging with each other to form substantially V-shaped notches at. the opposite ends of the said bottom portion when the sheet is unfolded; rows of fastening elements extending along the edges of said notches, the edges of the margin portions and the edges of said top portions to points intermediate the ends of said portions, the elements of opposed rows being designed to interlock. when the leaf portions are folded and said edges are edge-to-edge, to close the top and sides of the bag; slides located within said V-shaped notches when the bag is unfolded, mounted tovslide along said opposed rows of fastening elements and interlock them alonglsaid margin portions and top-portions to close the bag, and adapted to slide back along said rows to the notches and separate the interlocked elements to open the bag; means to lock the slides at the top of the bag to hold it closed; pockets carried by the opposed inner faces of the leaves, the pockets upon the one leaf having their mouths directed upward and the pockets upon the other leaf having their mouths directed downward when the bag is closed, said pockets being disposed in rectangular arrangement in each leaf with the said marginal portions extending outwardly beyond the pockets, whereby the pockets will stiffen the body of the leaf and give to the closed bag a substantially rectangular shape, and the margin portions will define the thickness of the closed bag; and means to suspend the leaf having the upwardly opening pockets in an upright posnion.

5. A bag comprising two flexible sections adapted, to form the front and back of the bag when closed, and adapted to lie substantially flat when the bag is open; stiffening means secured to the inner faces of the two sections and disposed to give shape to the bag when closed; ahingc section connecting together the adjacent inner ends of the flexible sections and adapted to form the bottom of the bag when the bag is closed; flexible and foldablo marginal portions along the sides of-the said two flexible sections and the hinge section outside of the stiffening means, each floldahle marginal portion being adapted to form one-half of one side of the closed bag and the two connected marginal portions defining the thickness of the bag from front to back; two rigid top sections, one secured to the free end of each of the flexible sections and adapted when the bag is closed to give shape and thickness to the top of the closed hag: opposed rows of fastening elements extending along the edges of the marginal portions and the hinge portion and also along the meeting edges of the two flexible sections along the rigid top sections; and slidable means to cause said rows of elements to engage each other and lock the edges together edge-to edge to form the closed bag.

ti. A bag comprising two flexible sections adapted to form the front and back of the bag when closed, and adapted to lie substantially flat when the bag is open; stiffening means secured to the inner faces of the two sections and disposed to give shape to the bag when closed: a hinge section connecting together the adjacent inner ends of the flexible sections and adapted to form the bottom of the bag when the bag is closed; flexible and foldable marginal portions along the sides of the said two flexible sections and the hinge section outside of the stiffening means, each foldablc marginal portion being adapted to form one-half of one side of the closed bag and the two connected marginal portions defining the thickness of the bag from front to back; two rigid top sections, one secured to the free end of each of the flexible sections and adapted when the bag is closed to give shape and thickness to the top of the closed bag; and fastening elements extending along the edges of the marginal portions to secure the bag when closed.

7. A traveling bag comprising two sections; means to suspend one of said sections in an upright position; a hinge connection between the lower edges of said sections adapting them to field together to close the bag and adapting the sus-pendable section to support the other section hanging from it in an inverted position when the bag is open and suspended, said hinged connection forming the bottom of the bag when the bag is closed; pockets carried by each section and extending over the opposed inner surfaces of the sections, the pockets carried by said suspendable section having their mouths directed upwardly and the pockets carried by the other section having their mouths directed downwardly when the bag is closed, whereby when the bag is open and suspended the pockets of both sections will open upwardly said pockets stifl'ening the main portions of the bag sections, each bag section being formed along its edges with a foldable margin portion extending beyond the pockets; and fastening means extending along the edges of the bag sections to secure the opposed edges of said sections together to form the sides of the bag and to hold the bag closed.

8. A bag comprising two flexible sections adapted to form the front and back of the bag when closed and adapted to lie substantially flat when the bag is open; a hinge portion connecting together the adjacent inner ends of the flexible sections and adapted to form the bottom of the bag when the bag is closed; a series of pockets secured to the inner side of each of the said flexible sections; a stiff partition detachabl mounted within the bag to separate the poc (ets of one section from those of the other section when the bag is closed; and means for detachably connecting together the edges of the sections to close the bag.

9. A traveling bag comprising two sections; means to suspend one of said sections in an upright position; a hinge connection between the lower edges of said sections adapting them to fold together to close the bag, each bag section being formed with a flexible margin portion extending along the side edges of the section and along the edge of the top portion of the section, the side edges of the flexible margin portions converging laterally inwardly at their lower ends to form inwardly extending substantially V- shaped notches at opposite ends of the central portion of the bag when the bag is open; fastening members arranged along said edges of the bag sections and adapted to interlock to secure the opposed edges of said sections together edge to edge to hold the bag closed; and two slides to interlock the fastening members together, one slide resting in each V-shaped notch when the bag is open, and both slides resting at the top of the bag in opposed relation when the bag is closed.

10. A traveling bag comprising two sec tions; a hinge connection between the lower edges of said sections adapting them to fold together to close the bag, each bag section being formed with a flexible margin portion extending along the side edges of the section and along the edge of the top portion of the section; fasteningimembers arranged alon said flexible edges of the bag sections an adapted to interlock to secure the opposed edges of said sections together edge to edge to hold the bag closed; and two slides to interlock the fastening members together, one slide resting at each end of the hinge connection. when the bag is open, the two slides resting close together in opposed relation at the top of the bag when the bag is closed; and means to secure the two slides together to lock the bag closed.

11. A traveling bag comprising two'leaf sections; a. hinge connection between the lower edges of said sections adapting them to fold together to close the bag and to unfold; stiff top sections carried by said leaf sections at the free edges thereof and adapted to form the top of the bag when the bag is closed; means carried by one of the stiff top sections to suspend the bag in open condition; and pockets carried by the opposed inner surfaces of the leaf sections, the pockets upon one leaf section having their mouths directed upwardly toward the suspension means, and the pockets carried by the other leaf section having their mouths directed downwardly when the bag is closed, whereby when the bag is open and suspended the pockets of both sections will open upwardly.

12. A traveling bag comprising two leaf sections; a hinge connection between the lower edges of said sections adapting them to fold together to close the bag and to unfold, said hinged connection forming the bottom of the bag when the bag is closed; pockets carried by each section and extending over the opposed inner surfaces of the sections, each section being formed with a foldable margin portion extending beyond and along the pockets, and the outer edges of the pockets defining fold lines for -said margins; and fastening means extending along the edges of the bag sections to secure the opposed edges of the margins together to form the sides of the bag and hold the bag closed.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JESSICA M. BRADY. 

